Virgin Galactic has taken the wraps off a concept for an airplane capable of flying three times the speed of sound, to be developed with support from Boeing and Rolls-Royce.
The project would be distinct from Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo suborbital space plane program, which is closing in on the start of commercial operations at Spaceport America in New Mexico.
<p>Today's announcement follows through on the company's heightened focus on high-speed aircraft development, which is backed by a <a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2019/boeing-invest-20m-virgin-galactic-marking-milestone-team-commercial-space/" target="_blank">$20 million investment from Boeing HorizonX</a> and supported by a <a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2020/boon-boeing-virgin-galactic-strikes-deal-nasa-work-supersonic-rocket-travel/" target="_blank">deal with NASA</a> to collaborate on supersonic projects.</p><p>Such an initiative seems likely to pit Virgin Galactic against aerospace industry players that have a head start in the race to revive supersonic travel — ranging from <a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2019/spacex-elon-musk-starship/" target="_blank">SpaceX</a> and <a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2018/nasa-supersonic-low-boom-lockheed/" target="_blank">Lockheed Martin</a> to <a href="https://boomsupersonic.com/" target="_blank">Boom Supersonic</a>, a startup that Virgin Galactic partnered with years ago.</p><p>Virgin Galactic says it has signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding with Rolls-Royce for the development of the plane's engine propulsion system, has put the design through a mission concept review in cooperation with NASA representatives, and is working with the Federal Aviation Administration to lay out a certification framework for the plane.</p><p>George Whitesides, who recently transitioned from CEO to a new position known as chief space officer to work on new projects, said the company has made "great progress so far" on the concept.</p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-rebelmouse-image">
<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://dot.la/media-library/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yMzUzMTA4OC9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYzNTY4Nzg3Mn0.H3zTv_JCW5VMtRv42ADXomHWbg15MUwKj5mXpuaGKFA/image.jpg?width=980" id="ca443" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="750e628974098310af80d419d4d42781" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" />
<small class="image-media media-caption" placeholder="Add Photo Caption...">Mach 3 Aircraft Design </small>
<small class="image-media media-photo-credit" placeholder="Add Photo Credit...">Courtesy of Virgin Galactic </small></p><p>"We are excited to complete the mission concept review and unveil this initial design concept of a high-speed aircraft, which we envision as blending safe and reliable commercial travel with an unrivaled customer experience," Whitesides <a href="https://www.virgingalactic.com/articles/virgin-galactic-unveils-mach-3-aircraft-design-for-high-speed-travel-and-signs-memorandum-of-understanding-with-rolls-royce/" target="_blank">said in a news release</a>.<br/></p><p>The basic parameters of the design call for a Mach 3 delta-wing aircraft that would have the capacity to fly nine to 19 people at an altitude above 60,000 feet. Virgin Galactic could provide customized cabin layouts to address customer needs, including business-class or first-class seating.</p><p>The plane would be designed to use existing airport infrastructure and lead the way in the use of sustainable aviation fuel.</p><p>The company provided no timetable for development. Nevertheless, the stock market's initial reaction to the news was positive — boosting <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=%24spce" target="_blank">Virgin Galactic's share price</a> in early trading today.</p><p>Commercial supersonic travel faded away in 2003 with the retirement of the British-French Concorde, due to concerns about cost and sonic-boom restrictions. In recent years, NASA and a variety of aerospace ventures have been looking into "quiet-boom" technologies that might make supersonic flight more palatable (and satisfy regulators).</p><p>NASA has partnered with Lockheed Martin to build a test aircraft known as the <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-s-x-59-quiet-supersonic-research-aircraft-cleared-for-final-assembly" target="_blank">X-59 QueSST</a>, or Low-Boom Flight Demonstrator. The X-59's first flight is due in the 2021-2022 time frame.</p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-rebelmouse-image">
<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://dot.la/media-library/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yMzUzMTA4Ny9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYwODU0MDg0OX0.alWN0HC_kR651v7qLqZRxlFED6qSOqKjj19zBBiFJGI/image.jpg?width=980" id="de6ff" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="65709157dab548d5b6f9bb77e63ca382" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" />
<small class="image-media media-caption" placeholder="Add Photo Caption...">Mach 3 Aircraft Design </small>
<small class="image-media media-photo-credit" placeholder="Add Photo Credit...">Courtesy of Virgin Galactic </small></p><p>Meanwhile, <a href="https://cosmiclog.com/tag/aerion/" target="_blank">Aerion Supersonic</a>, <a href="https://cosmiclog.com/tag/boom-technology/" target="_blank">Boom Supersonic</a> and <a href="https://cosmiclog.com/tag/spike-aerospace/" target="_blank">Spike Aerospace</a> are among a new crop of supersonic startups hoping to field planes and win FAA certification in the years ahead.<br/></p><p>Back in 2016, Virgin Galactic founder Richard Branson said <a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2016/boom-moves-ahead-supersonic-plane-project-help-virgin-galactic/" target="_blank">his company would assist Boom</a> with engineering, design, manufacturing, flight testing and operations — and would take a purchase option on the first 10 airframes. Today's announcement suggests that Virgin Galactic is now moving in a different direction.</p><p>For what it's worth, Boom is due to <a href="https://boomsupersonic.com/xb-1" target="_blank">roll out its prototype XB-1 supersonic jet in October</a>.</p><p>Some wondered whether Virgin Galactic will be arriving too late to the supersonic soiree, or whether its plans for a high-speed aircraft were sufficiently realistic.</p><p>"Had to recheck the date on the calendar. Nope, not April 1," Aviation Week's <a href="https://twitter.com/TheDEWLine/status/1290250158907645958" target="_blank">Steve Trimble tweeted</a>.</p><p>Mars Society President Robert Zubrin, meanwhile, <a href="https://twitter.com/robert_zubrin/status/1290259547311837185" target="_blank">tweeted an illustration showing SpaceX's planned Starship super-rocket</a> and wrote, "Mach 3 won't cut it. The competition will be doing Mach 25."</p><p>If Virgin Galactic's supersonic airplane turns out to be vaporware, at least it's cool-looking vaporware.</p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-rebelmouse-image">
<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://dot.la/media-library/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yMzUzMTA3MC9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY0Njc2MjUwN30.QScTgms3PlkvKyhf22KotQgRNKIlFCieYs4cXi0xgZs/image.jpg?width=980" id="78671" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="7bb5cdf53a5b91e3ae99a43a07602a85" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" />
<small class="image-media media-caption" placeholder="Add Photo Caption..."> Mach 3 Aircraft Design for High Speed Travel</small>
<small class="image-media media-photo-credit" placeholder="Add Photo Credit...">Courtesy of Virgin Galactic </small></p><p><em><a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2020/virgin-galactic-unveils-supersonic-airplane-concept-boeing-rolls-royce-supporters/" target="_blank">This story first appeared on GeekWire.</a></em><a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2020/virgin-galactic-unveils-supersonic-airplane-concept-boeing-rolls-royce-supporters/"></a><br/></p>
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Virgin Galactic says it's signed a Space Act Agreement with NASA to collaborate on the development of supersonic vehicles for civil applications.
The agreement also involves The Spaceship Company, a Virgin Galactic subsidiary that manufactures the SpaceShipTwo rocket plane and its WhiteKnightTwo mothership. The SpaceShipTwo model known as VSS Unity has already flown to the 50-mile-high edge of space twicein California, and this week it conducted its first gliding flight test at Spaceport America, its new home in New Mexico.
<p><span></span>Virgin Galactic founder Richard Branson has long said he plans to make use of SpaceShipTwo technology for <a href="https://arstechnica.com/science/2019/11/virgin-galactics-real-goal-may-be-point-to-point-travel-around-earth/" target="_blank">high-speed, point-to-point travel</a> between destinations on Earth. That application is a big reason why <a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2019/boeing-invest-20m-virgin-galactic-marking-milestone-team-commercial-space/" target="_blank">Boeing has invested $20 million in Virgin Galactic</a>.</p><p><span></span>Also today, Virgin Galactic Holdings <a href="https://investors.virgingalactic.com/news/news-details/2020/Virgin-Galactic-Announces-First-Quarter-2020-Financial-Results/default.aspx" target="_blank">reported its first-quarter financial results</a>, including a net loss of $60 million, revenue of $238,000 from engineering services, and a "strong cash position" with $419 million on hand. Virgin Galactic CEO George Whitesides said more than 400 refundable <a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2020/virgin-galactic-resumes-taking-deposits-customers-spaceshiptwo-suborbital-trips/" target="_blank">"One Small Step" deposits</a> have been received from people in 44 countries who are interested in SpaceShipTwo flights. That's in addition to the 600 customers who already have signed up and paid up to $250,000 for a ticket to ride.</p><p><br/></p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-youtube">
<span style="display:block;position:relative;padding-top:56.25%;" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="04661ceab9509db26106a82de409464d"><iframe type="lazy-iframe" data-runner-src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tzS6quajWnw?rel=0" width="100%" height="auto" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;"></iframe></span>
<small class="image-media media-caption" placeholder="Add Photo Caption...">SpaceShipTwo Unity Completes First Flight From Spaceport America</small>
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<a href="https://youtu.be/tzS6quajWnw" target="_blank">youtu.be</a>
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</p><p><br/></p><p><em>This post <a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2020/boon-boeing-virgin-galactic-strikes-deal-nasa-work-supersonic-rocket-travel/" target="_blank">originally appeared on GeekWire</a>. Love space and science? <a href="https://www.geekwire.com/space-newsletter/" target="_blank">Sign up for GeekWire's Space & Science email newsletter</a>.</em></p>
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'Even Spaceships Must Return to Earth': Morgan Stanley Warns Investors on Virgin Galactic Stock
Feb 20 2020
Take your pick of metaphors – rocketing, earth shattering, stratospheric - Virgin Galactic stock has been surging this year, up more than 200%. The Mojave-based company now has a market capitalization of $7.2 billion even though it only generated $3 million in revenue last year.
<p>Why all the excitement? No one seems to know, including Morgan Stanley, which issued a research note Thursday expressing bewilderment. </p><p>"We do struggle to identify significant thesis changing/accelerating events since the time of our initiation in early December of 2019," wrote analyst Adam Jonas in a note titled "Even Spaceships Must Return to Earth."</p><p>Jonas said he was surprised by the volume and volatility of the stock and he urged investors to be cautious. "A modest correction is overdue, and frankly, healthy," he wrote.</p><p>Investors did not seem phased by the warning, however, as the stock was nearly flat in Thursday's trading session after the note was published, though it dropped nearly 10% in after-hours trading. The stock closed Thursday at $37.26 on the New York Stock Exchange.</p><p><span></span>Virgin Galactic became the first publicly traded commercial space tourism company in October, going through a reverse merger.</p><p> The company's two competitors, Elon Musk's <a href="https://pitchbook.com/profiles/company/46488-07" target="_blank">SpaceX</a> and Jeff Bezos' <a href="https://pitchbook.com/profiles/company/56325-79" target="_blank">Blue Origin</a>, are privately held. Blue Origin, headquartered near Seattle is funded almost entirely by the Amazon CEO while Hawthorne-based SpaceX is VC and debt funded. The company, which is now valued at over $33 billion, got its latest financing from an $800 million Revolver facility from Bank of America in December.</p><p>Virgin Galactic will report earnings for only the second time as a public company on Feb. 25<br/></p>
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